Misery Company

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Epilogue

The Judge listened to both sides and took every opinion and fact into consideration. He felt Megan was stable at home with Dean and taking her out of the only home she’s ever known could prove harmful to the child. Caroline was stable at work and home, there was no reason she shouldn’t be around her child. At the end of the end Judge Dawson ruled that Megan remain in the custody of her father and granted Caroline visitation rights for the time being. Later the case could be revisited again and the visitation could turn into shared custody. Because Caroline had been absent for the last four years the Judge wasn’t willing to grant her anything more then weekend visits.

After the Judge made his ruling a huge weight lifted from Dean’s shoulders. He grabbed Mackenzie and held her tight. Having her there as his wife was exactly what his case had needed, the judge had been willing to listen more to what they had to say. Judge Dawson was an older man in his early sixties who believed more in a family unit of a mother and father together rather then a single parent.

“I told you, you had nothing to worry about.” Monica said as they walked out of the courthouse. “I know we didn’t consider visitation but you’re Megan’s primary caregiver. It’s still a win.”

Dean wished he never had to see Caroline again but she had given him Megan and for that and for the sake of his child he’d put up with her. “As long as she stays with me I don’t care what I have to do. Thank you so much for the help.”

“It was an honor, it’s always good to see a father willing to stand up this day and age when so many are absent.” She shook his hand and walked away.

Mackenzie waved goodbye and took Dean’s hand. “Now what?”

He smiled. “We still have an hour before we have to pick up Megan at school.”

“You are such a horn dog pervert. I have a better idea.”

Dean followed her lead; she took the keys and announced she was driving. He asked where they were going but she gave nothing away. He didn’t care as long as they were together. It was a good thing she felt the same and loved him too because they were stuck together for the long run. He made a lot of mistakes in his life but never would he make the mistake of losing her again.

As they got closer he smiled and realized what her idea was. “Do you think you still got it?” he taunted.

Mackenzie glanced at him. “What’s that mean?”

“I play and practice almost everyday and you haven’t been on the court in years.” Suddenly it was four years ago and they were in a battle of words and skill except this time it was all in fun.

“We’ll see Chandler.”

“It’s on Ashby.”

They were both dressed in formal attire for court but that didn’t matter. Mac took off her shoes and grabbed the basketball from the trunk of the car. Dean took off his jacket and tie before following her to the empty blacktop.

“I’ve been thinking.” Mackenzie said with dribbling the ball. “You’re graduating soon and I make pretty good money with Belinda. I think we should start looking at houses.”

“Ok I agree.” After he graduated living on an on-campus apartment wouldn’t be necessary. “Finding a bigger place is only going to encourage Megan to keep pushing. She wants to know when she’s getting a brother or sister.”

Mac laughed nervously. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Maybe we can get her a pet or something. Let’s play.”

They each had very strong personalities, it didn’t matter that they were a couple now; they both wanted to win the game and played hard even resorting to childish antics at times. Mac made the first dishonest move when she tripped him and threw his shot off balance. The score was tight and it was any one’s game.

“Are you still wondering if I still got it?” Mac goaded while dribbling the ball.

“You tripped me. If you had it you wouldn’t need too.”

“Really and when you pushed me, what was that Mr. I-practice-everyday? I can still kick your ass. Admit it, I still rock.” Skillfully she side swept every advance he made for the ball.

“Fine you’re still one of the best players I know.” He said the words without choking on them, he even sounded like he meant them.

It caught her by surprise. “Now that wasn’t so bad. Remember the first time we played each other? You would’ve died before willingly admitting that.” She was able to talk about the memories now without feeling the same raw emotion she had back then. Now when she remembered high school it felt like someone else’s life.

“There’s a lot of thing I would’ve never admitted before. It doesn’t make sense to deny it now.”

“Why, because we’ve seen each other naked?” she kept dribbling.

“No, I was going to say because I’m madly in love with you.” She still wasn’t used to hearing that, she lost her concentration and Dean snatched the ball.

“Sneaky bastard.”

“It’s not my fault you still rather joke then face something serious.” He leaned in and kissed her. “I do love you babe but I’m totally winning this.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it. I’m not letting you win.”

“Again? You still haven’t admitted you let me win the second time Coach Scott asked us to play each other.” Dean conversed while dribbling the ball, waiting for the perfect time to psych her out and make the winning shot.

Mac kept her eyes on the ball; she didn’t even bother to blink if it risked losing. “Fine I did let you win, which will be the only time I ever do by the way, because I knew were you off your game taking care of Megan. I’m a self admitted bitch but I wasn’t that heartless. I always respected what you were doing with her. I didn’t lie on the stand today, its true Megan made you into a better person. I doubt we’d be here if it wasn’t for her.”

He agreed. “She made me realize my mistakes. If I didn’t have Megan I’d probably be getting drunk at frat parties.”

“And I definitely wouldn’t love that guy let alone let him see me naked.”

The omission of love earlier wavered Mac’s concentration. The mention of her naked wavered Dean’s concentration…just like she thought it would. She swooped right in and snatched the ball from his hands and scored the finale and winning shot. “Men are such simple creatures.”

Dean chuckled. “That was sneaky but you’re still fast as hell.” He’d rather admit she won because of skill and not his lack of focus.

“That will teach you to doubt me. You may now bask in my awesomeness.” She held the ball like a trophy and flashed him a huge smile.

Dean moved closer to where she stood, a mischievous grin overtook his features. “And how am I supposed to bask?” by the time the words fully left his mouth he had her wrapped in his arms. The ball bounced on the blacktop forgotten.

“I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

Dean bent and whispered very suggestively. “Best two out of three?”

Mackenzie laughed while pushing him back and then grabbed the basketball. “It’s your funeral.